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Finding the right things to pack is sometimes the most difficult of a traveler's pre-departure tasks. After all, if your clothing is inappropriate for the weather or you forget important documents, you'll have a hard time enjoying your trip. The difficulty compounds when you'll be visiting multiple countries with varying climates and cultures. With a little pre-planning and a few pointers, however, packing for your European vacation needn't be at all difficult.

Climate

September in most European countries is a month of changes, and the weather may differ widely between countries, or between the first and last of the month, even within the same country. Northern European countries (Scandinavia, England, Ireland) will be mild and rainy in early September, and cool and damp later in the month. Southern Europe (Greece, Turkey, Spain) will still be very warm and dry at the beginning of the month, and mild with occasional rain toward the end. Central Europe (Germany, Czech Republic, Austria) will be mild and possibly rainy all month. Be sure to pack some things for cool evenings and damp weather, no matter where you go.

Style

Europeans wear more formal clothes than most Americans. It's easy to spot the American tourists in London, Paris or Berlin by simply looking for white tennis shoes, shorts and baseball caps. If you want to blend in, leave these articles at home and opt instead for a neutral wardrobe with colorful accessories to change things up a bit. If you plan to go to sacred places such as churches and mosques, your knees and shoulders will need to be covered at all times. If upscale restaurants or the theatre are on the agenda, dressier clothes are a must, as most Europeans dress for dinner and especially for September's theatre openings.

Geography

Many of Europe's most famous cities are mostly flat, making getting around with simple walking shoes much easier. Islands like Greece and Sicily can be very hilly, however, meaning if you're prone to foot or ankle problems, better foot protection is necessary. No matter where you're going, streets are likely to be narrower than you're used to, and stairs and escalators are the norm rather than elevators. You may have to carry your bag long distances over rough cobbles or wet, muddy September streets, so roll-aboard bags are a liability. A single carry-on style bag with backpack straps holding 20 lbs. maximum is your best bet.

Considerations

When deciding what to pack, consider the activities you'll be undertaking while in Europe. Specialized "travel" clothing is generally unnecessary, as is technical gear or sports equipment, unless your entire vacation will revolve around the sport. For day hikes or one-day water-ski trips, it's generally possible to rent everything you'll need. Look into this option before deciding to bring anything especially heavy, bulky or valuable with you.

Warning

If you need to apply for a passport, make sure you do it two or more months before your trip. Customs officials will generally refuse you entry if your passport has less than six months before expiration. Additional documentation such as a driving license is helpful. If you're traveling with children who are not your own, bring a notarized letter from the parents stating that you're allowed to travel with their children. All children need their own passports -- even infants.